Another wonderful volume! I'm excited that I have all three volumes of this manga trilogy.

The story is simple, but I really love the earnest nature ofAnother wonderful volume! I'm excited that I have all three volumes of this manga trilogy.

The story is simple, but I really love the earnest nature of our hero Makoto and I continue to adore the cast. And true to form to any harem series, you can see Makoto connect to each and every one of our wonderful cast members. (Especially the Hatter - which should come as no surprise, as Alice x Hatter is typically a favorite in these sorts of adaptions.)

I found this in a used book store (along with volumes 2 and 3) and loved the artwork, so I decided to pick it up. This was a good decision!

It's light,I found this in a used book store (along with volumes 2 and 3) and loved the artwork, so I decided to pick it up. This was a good decision!

It's light, full of little sprinkles of dark humor, and I love all of the characters. Stories that use the classic Alice in Wonderland characters are always a delight, but this might be the first one where I've seen the Dormouse interpreted as a sadist.

I love Alice & Makoto and seeing them both navigate around this more modern Wonderland, and I'm looking forward to the next two volumes.

Lots of humor, lots of romance, and I loved it cover to cover. :D...more

I decided to start the new year with fluff and this book fits the bill.

Momoko Tenzen gives us a beautiful, slow burn, fluff-filled romance between twoI decided to start the new year with fluff and this book fits the bill.

Momoko Tenzen gives us a beautiful, slow burn, fluff-filled romance between two teachers that's wonderfully adorable and relaxed. There's no drama to be found here, and only a few misunderstandings to progress the plot.

It's got an airy feel to it, and I recommend it if you're looking for something short & sweet....more

Drawn in by Duo Brand's artwork, I stuck around for the lovely romance between people from two different worlds. It's more fun the second time aroundDrawn in by Duo Brand's artwork, I stuck around for the lovely romance between people from two different worlds. It's more fun the second time around when you know the twist, but I remember loving it the first time I read it as well.

It's not a complex story, but it is sweet and I love seeing Aki & Kuga develop their relationship.

Madness is one of those comics that immediately resonated with me the first time I read it. There was something about the messy artwork, the intensityMadness is one of those comics that immediately resonated with me the first time I read it. There was something about the messy artwork, the intensity of everything and everyone contrasted with the softness of Izaya that made me desperate for the second volume after I finished it.

Izaya is probably one of the main reasons I love this comic so much. Characters that have genuine love for everyone, regardless of their pasts, crimes and sins, with hope that they can become better people and see their feelings are always welcome. Izaya truly loves everyone and while he doesn't change the violent, blood-thirsty main characters as much as he'd like, he certainly leaves an impact.

Not that the other characters aren't wonderful as well. Kyo is delightfully violent and rough (hello, dubious consent issues and possessiveness), Miyabi is amazing in every way, and Oboro is endlessly entertaining. I adore everyone in this cast and I loved watching them all find each other again.

The plot in and of itself isn't the most elaborate, but I do like learning bits and pieces of the old Madness' group history, and seeing them travel in this new dystopian world.

I also love the artwork. While at times it's hard to follow the action due to the over-quick pacing and messy lines, I can forgive it because of the style itself. It's as rough as the story and it fits well with the title.

Madness remains one of my favorite manga titles, and I highly recommend it (as long as you're fine with the content warnings - this series is rated mature for a reason)....more

Picked up this little book because Ellie Mamahara is one of my favorite manga artists. She's got a unique look that's lanky and blocky and I just realPicked up this little book because Ellie Mamahara is one of my favorite manga artists. She's got a unique look that's lanky and blocky and I just really adore it. The story by Takana Mizuhashi complimented it well & was a nice read.

Story wise, it's a slow burn plot about a self-conscious actor named Yuki and the younger, more talented upstart, Sawaki, threatening to out stage him. We of course find out that there's miscommunication going on and there's less animosity between the two than we think, but that's sort of a given considering this is a romance and we know where they end up.

But it is definitely one of the more subtle romances I've read, with most of the book focusing more on Yuki's life and his acting career than anything else. The relationship itself is very slow burn, not even really coming into focus until the last few pages.

Generally, it's a nice read that I enjoyed, but I will admit I bought it for the artwork....more

Ever since the new Ducktales series was announced, I've been reliving a bit of my Disney afternoon. And where there there is Ducktales, there's my favEver since the new Ducktales series was announced, I've been reliving a bit of my Disney afternoon. And where there there is Ducktales, there's my favorite series featuring a Duck - Darkwing Duck. When I discovered this older comic collection on Kindle, it was a no-brainer purchase.

While ultimately an unfinished storyline (such a shame) this was a thoroughly enjoyable collection of Darkwing stories that really took me back to the old cartoon, but with more continuity. All of the major storylines share a continuity and a lot of plot points from one feed into the others in a way that the cartoon series couldn't do. Pretty much every major villain makes an appearance at some point, a few new characters hit the scene, and of course - Darkwing and his Family fighting crime together.

Fun, funny, heartwarming and full of more alliteration than even Darkwing can keep up with, this is one addition to the Darkwing canon I'm glad I got my hands on....more

This is the first Volume where I regret not having the next one on hand. This was a good one. Right up there with the Sea King arc.

First up - I love BThis is the first Volume where I regret not having the next one on hand. This was a good one. Right up there with the Sea King arc.

First up - I love Blizzard. She's fantastic, and I like how she too is being hit with the "Become a better person after meeting Saitama" bug. I really can't wait to see her let loose.

Genos vs Sonic was a great fight as well. Sonic's got a new look, and Saitama's pupil vs his "greatest rival" ended up being a more intense fight than I was expecting. I also like how it merged so well with the Blizzard plot line going on at the same time.

Saitama gaining more friends is also wonderful. Seeing his group grow makes me happy.

And then we got to the Garo arc - that was good. Just flat out everything about it from Garo's intensity, to the action and art, to Mumen Rider (oh, Mumen Rider), and even Charanko trying to live up to Bang's expectations.

I'm absolutely looking forward to the next Volume after this one....more

New material! The last volume had a bit past where the first season of the anime ended, but this is where we start really picking up.

This volume startNew material! The last volume had a bit past where the first season of the anime ended, but this is where we start really picking up.

This volume starts by introducing King, a man with a long history with Saitama (though neither realized it until recently). I always love seeing Saitama make new friends. He started the series so alone, and then Genos crashed into his life and he's been making new friends left and right sense. It's a good time.

Also, Genos actually wins a fight in this volume which made it worth it alone for me. That poor guy almost never gets to finish the fights he starts.

It followed up with Monster Cats, a great Dojo story concerning the protection of expensive seafood, and introducing Garo. I've heard a lot about him and I can't wait to read the next volume to get to know him better....more

I ended up a little late to the One-Punch Man game by starting with the anime, but I enjoyed the heck out of that. My brother picked up the manga seriI ended up a little late to the One-Punch Man game by starting with the anime, but I enjoyed the heck out of that. My brother picked up the manga series starting where the anime ended, so I decided to go ahead and borrow them to take a read.

The manga is every bit as good as the anime, if not better in some ways. It's great seeing the same story in two mediums, just to see what they do different. For example, the Moon scene was probably better in the anime because they used body language and movement to get across what they had to do with thought bubbles in the comic, but I think how the comic handled the final punch in the Boros fight with multiple pages and perspectives was amazing.

My favorite bit in this volume though, was probably the police story. Saitama really shone as a true hero here, and I love how he's grown to care about others throughout the series with such strong convictions.

It was a great series, and I'm glad I've got two more volumes to read....more

With the rerelease of Haruhi Suzumiya coming to DVD, I dug out this volume I had sitting around. I remember glancing through it when I first bought itWith the rerelease of Haruhi Suzumiya coming to DVD, I dug out this volume I had sitting around. I remember glancing through it when I first bought it, but this felt like a good time to sit down and read it in more detail.

Itsuki Koizumi & Kyon have a really great relationship in the show; it's complicated. They're friends, but they also rather dislike each other at times. They've got a weird mix of admiration and jealousy between them, that comes out in this collection of shorts. It also helps that you can never quite tell if Itsuki is in love with Haruhi or Kyon, which makes his own brand of jealousy all the more interesting, because you're never quite sure who he's jealous of at any given moment.

Either way, this is a wonderful little collection of humorous, and sometimes heartfelt, shorts exploring their unique relationship. The different art styles are all fantastic, and I definitely recommend picking it up if you're a fan of the S.O.S. Brigade's male members....more

It's sort of funny that in a comic series that's so famous for being about women, that my favorite character is one of the men. But I've always been aIt's sort of funny that in a comic series that's so famous for being about women, that my favorite character is one of the men. But I've always been a fan of bad guys, and Eric Raymond was easily my favorite character in the original 80's cartoon series. He was a big part in upping the series from a musical battle of the bands, to a literal one when he brought in wanted criminals to explode buildings.

And then he went on a downward spiral of desperation and poverty that made him a weird father-figure (albeit a bad one) to the Misfits and well, let's just say once he got Techrat on the team, it was pretty clear he'd be a favorite.

The end point of all of that is that Eric Raymond makes his debut in Volume 2 of the Jem Comics, and I could not be happier. He's at the peak of his game, still suave and in control, and man was I happy to see him. He also brought Techrat onto the Team early, and while I lament not seeing Zipper yet, we've got one lackey to make things interesting by bringing more of Synergy to light.

As for the ladies, their stories are progressing. Most of this volume was romance focused, be it the troubles of Stormer and Kimber (for the record, seeing Kimber in a single, steady relationship is still weird to me after her constant serial dating in the original series), or Rio and Jem.

And of course, it's Misfits vs Holograms, like always, setting up for bigger stories in the next volume. Which probably sums this one up - Set up! :D

It was a good set of issues though, and the art was top-notch as ever, and even though I don't have much to specifically mention about it, I'd recommend checking it out. I'm looking forward to Volume 3 so I can catch up (and see more Eric Raymond), and see how things go!...more

It's so cute seeing DC's Trinity as children, trying to figure out the mystery of theiIf I had to sum up this book in one word, it would be: ADORABLE.

It's so cute seeing DC's Trinity as children, trying to figure out the mystery of their new school. Watching tiny Bruce step into his detective shoes was just as amusing as Clark & Diana trying to hide their super powers.

Lots of references to the rest of DC Canon to enjoy, the artwork is absolutely wonderful (as to be expected!), and the blend of comic panels, diary entries and other documents create a fun little story.

I smiled the entire way through the book, and I'm reminded of how much I love seeing Bruce & Clark interact. I love my World's Finest!

Out of all the series by CLAMP, Wish has always been my hands down favorite. I haven't read it in a while, so sitting down to pick it up again has beeOut of all the series by CLAMP, Wish has always been my hands down favorite. I haven't read it in a while, so sitting down to pick it up again has been a real treat. This is definitely a series I read over and over again.

The story is light-hearted and delightful, the jokes are great, and I adore the cast. The artwork is also beautiful (to be expected from CLAMP) and each volume makes me incredibly happy to read.

Shuichiro and Kohaku's love story gets their start in the first volume. We get to know the two characters, as well as introduce the rest of the Angels and Demons that will be keeping us company through the next three volumes.

Another wonderful volume of my favorite CLAMP series! Re-reading this series has been wonderful and reminded me that it's been far too long since I laAnother wonderful volume of my favorite CLAMP series! Re-reading this series has been wonderful and reminded me that it's been far too long since I last picked it up!

Volume two takes us into the past, to learn about Shuichiro's origins. The story about his mother and the wisteria tree never fails to make me tear up, and we start to see the beginnings of Kohaku's endless love for Shuichiro.

And of course, in the background Koryu is causing all sorts of trouble and our local forbidden lovers Hisui and Kokuyu are endlessly endearing and entertaining in the background.

The re-read of my favorite CLAMP series continues! I've said it before on an earlier volume review, but I adore the artwork in this series. It's so liThe re-read of my favorite CLAMP series continues! I've said it before on an earlier volume review, but I adore the artwork in this series. It's so light and beautiful.

Volume three: Shuichiro and Kohaku separated! The poor darlings confront their feelings as they spend time apart. Kokuyo has something important to say, but the fates that be keep preventing him. Even more fun, we're introduced to a whole new cast of angels, and we get to see more of Shuichiro bonding with his grandfather.

It's not a big volume, but there is a lot of plot set up!

And of course, the ending has two special extras that feature Koryu & his cute little crush on Kohaku, and how Hisui and Kokuyo got together. Very sweet.

A while ago, someone gave me the Super S series of Sailor Moon. At the time, all I'd seen was the anime adaption - so it was fun reading the originalsA while ago, someone gave me the Super S series of Sailor Moon. At the time, all I'd seen was the anime adaption - so it was fun reading the originals (even if it was a little weird getting used to "Serena" being named "Bunny" - and even more so now that they've started calling her Usagi again. XD).

Decided to pull them off the shelves and read them again. It's a little weird getting used to the comics being flipped to be read left to right (you read enough manga, and you get used to reading them right to left!), but they're still full of great artwork & the great story Sailor Moon is known for.

The Super S arc is all about Dreams & our new villains: The Dead Moon Circus. Volume 1 focuses on Sailor Moon, Chibi Moon, Mercury and Mars. It's wonderful seeing their dreams, seeing them overcome their nightmares & show their true colors as warriors. I'm looking forward to reading up on the rest of the girls in Volume 2.

And best of all, Helios has arrived! As one of my favorite characters from the series, it's fantastic to see him any time.

Volume 2 continues the main story (and leaves off on a cliff-hanger in the middle of Venus' focusMy journey through reading my old SM books continues!

Volume 2 continues the main story (and leaves off on a cliff-hanger in the middle of Venus' focus story), but half of the volume is dedicated to fun & light one-shots. They're light and cute, and make me smile. It's nice reading the compact little tales, that have good pacing and lovely artwork.

My favorite of which, would have to be "Ami's First Love" - which frankly, is one of my favorite stories in Sailor Moon, period. It's no wonder it was adapted into an anime! There's something great about Ami getting pumped over her "rival" and everyone else noticing. The final "battle" she had is also a riot, and the whole story is just fun. This volume was well worth reading for that story line alone. ;D...more

Been on a Sports Anime high lately, two of which were baseball series (Ace of Diamond & Big Windup!), so when I looked in my manga collection forBeen on a Sports Anime high lately, two of which were baseball series (Ace of Diamond & Big Windup!), so when I looked in my manga collection for something to read tonight, picking up Baseball Heaven seemed like the obvious choice. Ellie Mamahara's always been one of my favorite manga authors, and this little one shot was no exception!

Baseball Heaven centers around the eager and energetic Uno attempting to court the sensible & chilly Ogata while also juggling their baseball career. The humor is top-notch and there's at least one bit of dialogue or delightful facial expression on every page that made me smile (and a few that made me laugh). It's a very upbeat, cute little book about the fun of playing hard to get and the joys that go with it (jealousy, teasing, tension, and desperate moments).

There's also a lot of baseball action! We not only get to see Ogata fight for the best batter title, but Uno is doing his best as a skilled rookie trying to pitch his team to victory! (And well, into Ogata's bed after the skittish short-stop tells him the conditions to sleeping with him is to pitch a perfect game. ;D) But yes, there's some cute moments between the battery of Uno & Abe with a nice subplot, and of course the manga wouldn't be complete without competing player Hattori constantly bothering Ogata & being dragged off by his own team. Hattori & Ogata's competition is also a nice driving force behind the sports half of the book's story line.

The artwork is also amazing. Mamahara's got a very unique & angular style, that results in really expressive and lanky body language. Her facial expressions are also very dynamic, and she draws the cutest pouting I've seen in a long time. The panel layouts move the story along at a quick pace, and really bring out the action whether it's on the Diamond or in the bedroom. In particular, I appreciate that her sex scene are sensual, and not graphic. It sets the mood nicely and it's great to see all these characters drawn so well.

Overall, though, this book shines because it's cute, funny & full of fluff. The upbeat nature of the scenes, the fun of the romantic chase between the characters, and the overall comedy of the book really work together well. Book makes me smile & that was something I needed today!

I enjoyed the book when I first picked it up in 2010, and I enjoyed it again now. Definitely a volume I'll be returning to later when I need a pick-me-up....more

So when I heard there was going to be a live actionJem and the Holograms movie, I went through something similar as I did when I found out there was gSo when I heard there was going to be a live actionJem and the Holograms movie, I went through something similar as I did when I found out there was going to be a Transformers live action film: Go look up the original 80's cartoon. Binged through all three seasons of the cartoon & adored it. Saw the movie, and while there were adaption issues - I rather enjoyed the heck out of that, too. So might as well continue the Jem Love and pick up the new IDW Comic series. :D

Overall? I enjoyed it. The comic is very bright & upbeat. The humor is forefront, the relationships are adorable all around whether romantic or sisterly, and the artwork is amazing.

Sophie Campbell's art is clean with brilliant colors that pop even more with the heavy inking. Her facial expressions are wonderfully expressive & it really brings all the characters to life. If I had any issue with the art design, it'd probably be Jem's costumes. Her skin-tight, plastic looking outfits resemble a completely different fashion style from everyone else in the comics, and it almost makes her stand out in an awkward way. It's like she's Sci-Fi in a group of rockers. The designs by themselves look fine, but it's only when mixed with everyone else that it feels like a mix-match. But that's a pretty minor complaint all around, because the artwork really is stunning - especially in the music numbers, where panels stop existing and art takes over the pages.

The writing is good, mostly shining in the dialogue. The pacing was fine, and the first story focuses on the band coming into being, meeting Synergy and having their first battle with the Misfits. It's a set-up storyline, so I don't have too much to say on it. Rio & Jerrica's date to the Carnival was probably my favorite mini-arc out of the six issues (they are adorable, and I love how their relationship is progressing), and I like how we're starting out with Rio adoring Jerrica & disliking Jem. Fun times. The Misfits & The Holograms were also great. Each girl stands out on their own with a few great moments, and it's hard not to love everyone (including new character, Blaze - who seems like a nice, level-headed cutie in this mix of extreme personalities).

Pizzaz in particular, was the greatest thing about this comic, though. She's loud, emotional, expressive and her screaming made me happy. She's so wonderfully frustrated and full of anger. :D

I'm a little upset though that Raya was nowhere to be seen when Jetta is already a misfit (and why wasn't Jetta playing Sax!?). Jetta & Raya were introduced together as new band members in the second season, so it's a little weird seeing the one without her Holograms counterpart. I liked Jetta in the cartoon, but I adored Raya. Her absence is missed and I hope she makes an appearance soon.

Overall, though? I enjoyed it. I probably won't be hunting down the individual issues as they come out, but I'll likely be picking up the next collected edition when it comes out....more

I made the decision a while ago not to retroactively add all the manga I've read to Goodreads, just because there was just so much of it & I couldI made the decision a while ago not to retroactively add all the manga I've read to Goodreads, just because there was just so much of it & I couldn't remember when I first read any of it. But, no reason I can't add titles that Ive taken the time to read over & over, right? ;D And since I just re-read this one this morning, I felt like sharing it!

A Love Song For The Miserable is one of those volumes I end up reading at least once a year & is one of my go-to recommends when people ask for a good Boy's Love title. I remember picking it up years ago when it first came out, and I still love it. It's just the right level of sweet and intimate, making it stand out in a genre full of more passionate relationships. Asada & Nao suffer from the classic communications issue (Aka: If you two said what you were thinking there'd be no problems), but it feels a little more natural here since they have a bigger issue to deal with: Specifically, Asada's self-worth and his job. The way the story creates conflict to the relationship through their jobs and plans for the future feels sincere and real.

It has just enough drama without being over the top, and I do like how the two eventually come to terms with their feelings. Some of the scenes are too cute (forehead touches!), and I rooted for the both of them.

The artwork isn't the best, but it's unique and their facial expressions are great. But, the artwork does step up! Toward the end, there's a panel where Nao picks up Asada, and frankly, it's my favorite page in the book. The expressions, the pose, and the action is just perfect and it's one of my favorite scenes & one of the reasons this particular comic continues to be a favorite.

Plus it's about a baker and a department store coordinator. How cute can you get?...more

I love the artwork in this book. It's expressive, clean and crisp and it reflects the art style on the Monster High Boxes wonderfully. If this team puI love the artwork in this book. It's expressive, clean and crisp and it reflects the art style on the Monster High Boxes wonderfully. If this team puts together more graphic novels, I'll be more than willing to buy them for the art alone.

The story's very cute. It goes through six cute couple stories from the new couple Manny Taur and Iris Clops to some more familiar pairings from the series. The stories are short and cute, and I rather enjoyed them. They're drawn together at the end by a visit from a character I've been waiting to see again for quite some time, so it definitely made the book worth it.

If you're a fan of Monster High canon pairings, I definitely recommend picking it up....more

This was the big surprise for the New52 comics for me--I loved this series. I've never been a big fan of Supergirl in the past, but after this--I'm heThis was the big surprise for the New52 comics for me--I loved this series. I've never been a big fan of Supergirl in the past, but after this--I'm head over heels for her now, and can't wait for more.

The art team for this book, first of all, is amazing. I just have to put that out there front and foremost--this is one of the most gorgeous books in the New52 and it's consistently beautiful, well structured, and full of life. The layouts, the style (faces, body types, expressions), the muted colors, the bright colors, the movement--it's all brilliant. I'd easily love a copy of this book without the dialogue, which is why it's great to get the text-free covers included with the TPB.

Story wise, it's slow paced. A few people have complained that it's 'boring,' but I honestly enjoyed the time they took to introduce us to Kara, her plight, and her new place in the world. There was build up, character, and wonderful dialogue. I really got to know this Supergirl on a personal level before they started getting into the fighting and main plots, and that was an amazing breath of air compared to some of the other reboots that jumped right in before I even knew who they were. The New52 was supposed to be a reboot for new readers, and this was one of the only books to give me that chance to know Kara before I cared about her. It was one of the few books where I didn't feel lost for what was going on while reading, and that alone made it stand out as a favorite.

This volume covers the first seven issues of the comic. We get Kara & Superman meeting, Kara vs Simon Tycho (one of my favorite villains from the DC Reboot), Kara going home to Krypton, and it ends with a fantastic battle of Kara vs The World Killers--which is the fast paced, awesome fights that you'd expect from a member of the Super-Family.

I loved it, and I think if you couldn't take the slow-paced issues one at a time, than reading it all in one package might be a better option. :D...more